From the New Zealand Wars to the confiscation of Māori lands, Scots settlers had a major impact on the Indigenous peoples, lands, and cultures of Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Introduction to the European settlement of New Zealand

This document gives an introduction to the history of European settlement in New Zealand which will be useful to both students and teachers.

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Lesson Plans and videos

Donald McClean and Indigenous People

Tiree-born politician and public official Sir Donald McLean was appointed Protector of Aborigines in 1844, overseeing all matters impacting the Indigenous peoples, including land ownership, trade, and local government. This lesson addresses the impact McLean’s policies had in these sectors.

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What do the letters of Donald Gollan reveal about settler intentions towards the environment and natural resources of New Zealand?

Scots merchant Donald Gollan emigrated to New Zealand, via Australia, in 1841. This lesson focuses on his letters which offer insight into settler perspectives on the environment, resources, and lands of this region.

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Donald Gollan’s letters and settler Scots attitudes toward the Indigenous peoples and cultures of New Zealand

Donald Gollan’s letters offer insight into settler attitudes of social and economic exploitation towards Indigenous communities. This lesson addresses such sociopolitical impacts of settler Scots.

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Scots settlers in New Zealand and Canada

This lesson addresses the methodology of historical source analysis, looking at two primary sources written by Scots settlers in New Zealand and Canada to trace a transnational pattern of settler attitudes towards Indigenous peoples and cultures. (This lesson can also be found under the ‘Canada’ section of the Migration and Empire resources.)